Massey scores in 10th on Garcia's sacrifice fly, Royals beat Mariners 3-2

SEATTLE (AP) — Michael Massey scored on Maikel Garcia's sacrifice fly in the 10th inning, and the Kansas City Royals overcame a dominant 14-strikeout performance from Seattle starter Emerson Hancock to beat the Mariners 3-2 on Saturday night.

Royals Mariners Baseball

Massey began the inning as the automatic runner at second base, stole third, and then scored on Garcia’s flyball to center field off Cooper Criswell (1-1).

The Royals tied the game in the ninth against Mariners closer Andrés Muñoz, as Salvador Perez led off with a single. Pinch-runner Lane Thomas advanced to second on a balk, and scored on Jac Caglianone's single to center that got by Julio Rodriguez and went all the way to the wall.

The Mariners scored first when Josh Naylor drove Rodriguez home with an RBI single in the first, but the Royals tied it with back to back doubles from Kyle Isbel and Garcia in the third.

That was the only run the Royals got against Hancock, who allowed six hits and no walks over seven innings while setting a new career high in strikeouts. It was a dominant performance on a night the Mariners retired the number of arguably the most dominant pitcher in franchise history, Randy Johnson.

Leo Rivas gave the Mariners a 2-1 lead when he scored from third on a wild pitch by Seth Lugo in the fifth.

Advertisement

The Mariners wasted a prime scoring opportunity in the fifth, when Randy Arozarena lost track of the count, and was picked off first base to end the inning with the bases loaded.

Lugo allowed seven hits and two walks over six innings, with six strikeouts. Luinder Avila pitched two scoreless innings of relief for the Royals.

Lucas Erceg retired the side in the 10th for his ninth save. Matt Strahm (1-0) got the win.

Up next

RHP Luis Castillo (0-2, 6.35 ERA) pitches Sunday for Seattle, against Royals LHP Kris Bubic (2-1, 3.74 ERA).

AP MLB:https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

byAlpha World

in

May 03, 2026

Massey scores in 10th on Garcia's sacrifice fly, Royals beat Mariners 3-2

SEATTLE (AP) — Michael Massey scored on Maikel Garcia's sacrifice fly in the 10th inning, and the Kansas City Royals overcame a dom...

Read More

Starmer warns against political infighting as leadership challenge rumours heat up

Sir Keir Starmer has cautioned his party against repeating the Conservative Party's error of "descending into political infighting," amidst growing speculation of a leadership challenge. The Labour leader also stressed the necessity for the party to be more "united" to genuinely improve the lives of working people.

This warning comes as reports suggest Andy Burnham, the Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester, is formulating a plan for a swift return to Westminster, potentially "within weeks," with the aim of challenging Sir Keir.

The Guardian newspaper said that Mr Burnham has identified several constituencies where sitting MPs are reportedly prepared to step aside, triggering by-elections that could facilitate his re-entry into Parliament. Furthermore, Mr Burnham’s allies are reportedly seeking to avoid a formal leadership contest against Sir Keir Starmer, instead hoping to initiate a process for him to resign following anticipated poor results for Labour in the upcoming 7 May elections.

The Daily Telegraph has also reported that Wes Streeting, the Shadow Health Secretary, is also preparing a bid to unseat the Labour leader. According to the newspaper, Mr Streeting has garnered the backing of more than 81 MPs for his leadership challenge, which is the minimum threshold required to trigger such a contest.

Setting out his his case in The Observer, Sir Keir said: “We have a choice. We could sink into the politics of grievance and division. Or we could rise to this moment – together – in a national effort that matches the scale of the threats and turbulence we face.

“I am talking about a national mission to become a stronger, more resilient, and more united nation, allowing us to take control of our future, raise our sights, and reach towards something better.

Advertisement

“When the nation rallied together to deal with Covid, the last government could have channelled that spirit to build a better nation.

“But instead, they descended into political infighting and let the country slump back to the old status quo. Not this time.”

He continued: “This government will reshape our nation. Over the coming weeks, through the King’s speech and beyond, we will set out our agenda of radical reform – with activist, interventionist government building a stronger and fairer country.”

Doubling down on his plans to forge closer ties with Europe, the Prime Minister said: “Recovery depends on rebuilding the strength of our economy to make us more resilient to these kinds of shocks in future.

“That means deepening our economic relationship with the EU.

“The world has changed since 2016. And Brexit today looks quite different. It has damaged our economy and there’s no doubt in my mind where the national interest lies.

“Britain must be at the heart of a stronger Europe on defence, on security, on energy, and on our economy. I will be at the European Political Community summit today to take this forward.”

byAlpha World

in

May 03, 2026

Starmer warns against political infighting as leadership challenge rumours heat up

Sir Keir Starmer has cautioned his party against repeating the Conservative Party's error of "descending into political infigh...

Read More

Pope marks World Press Freedom Day, laments violations and honours slain reporters

VATICAN CITY, May 3 (Reuters) - Pope Leo on Sunday marked World Press Freedom Day by condemning persistent violations ‌of media freedom around the world and paying tribute ‌to journalists killed while reporting from conflict zones.

Speaking at the end of his ​weekly Sunday prayer, in a sun-flooded Saint Peter's Square, the pontiff said the day highlighted both the importance of independent journalism and the growing threats faced by reporters.

"Today we celebrate World Press ‌Freedom Day ... unfortunately, this ⁠right is often violated, sometimes in blatant ways, sometimes in more hidden forms," he said.

The pope urged ⁠the faithful to remember journalists and reporters who have lost their lives pursuing the truth, particularly in areas afflicted by conflicts.

Advertisement

"We ​remember the ​many journalists and reporters who ​have been victims of war ‌and violence," the pope said.

World Press Freedom Day, sponsored by U.N. cultural agency UNESCO and observed on May 3, is intended as a show of support for media organisations that come under pressure or censorship and an opportunity to commemorate journalists who ‌have died in the line of ​duty.

In past speeches the leader of ​the Catholic Church has ​described journalism as a pillar of society and ‌democracy with information being a ​public good that ​must be safeguarded and defended from manipulation.

He has often thanked reporters for sharing the truth, saying that doing their ​job could never be ‌considered a crime, frequently calling for the release of ​journalists who have been unfairly detained or prosecuted.

(Reporting by ​Giulia SegretiEditing by Tomasz Janowski)

byAlpha World

in

May 03, 2026

Pope marks World Press Freedom Day, laments violations and honours slain reporters

VATICAN CITY, May 3 (Reuters) - Pope Leo on Sunday marked World Press Freedom Day by condemning persistent violations ‌of media freedom...

Read More

Defender Reid Roberts has spectacular save to help Earthquakes earn 1-1 draw with Toronto

TORONTO (AP) — Defender ReidRoberts made a spectacular savewith a bicycle kick on a shot by Dániel Sallói to help the San Jose Earthquakes earn a 1-1 draw with Toronto FC on Saturday and remain unbeaten on the road.

MLS San Jose Toronto Soccer

San Jose (9-1-1) was aiming to set a record for consecutive road wins to begin a season, but instead will settle for tying the 2022 New York Red Bulls' record of five in a row.

Toronto (3-3-5) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 2nd minute whenSallói used assistsfrom Jonathan Osorio and Markus Cimermancic to score his fourth goal of the season. Osorio has two assists, while Cimermancic collected his first in his 10th career appearance.

San Jose pulled even in the 13th minute whenPreston Judd scoredfor the seventh time this season, matching his career high. Niko Tsakiris notched his seventh assist, tying Los Angeles FC's Son Heung-min for the league lead.

Tsakiris left with an apparent groin injury in the 54th minute and was replaced by Nick Fernandez.

Judd had a go-ahead goal waived off in the 65th minute when Jack Skahan was caught offside.

Daniel De Sousa Britto did not have a save in goal for San Jose.

Advertisement

Luka Gavran turned away three shots for Toronto.

The Earthquakes played to a 2-2 draw in their last trip to Toronto in 2022.

San Jose leads the all-time series 6-5-9.

The Earthquakes began the day leading the Western Conference and Supporters' Shield races.

Up next

San Jose: Hosts the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday.

Toronto: Hosts Inter Miami on Saturday.

AP soccer:https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

byAlpha World

in

May 02, 2026

Defender Reid Roberts has spectacular save to help Earthquakes earn 1-1 draw with Toronto

TORONTO (AP) — Defender ReidRoberts made a spectacular savewith a bicycle kick on a shot by Dániel Sallói to help the San Jose Earthqua...

Read More

MLS commissioner Don Garber says X account was hacked after calling British Columbia Premier a 'liar'

MLS commissionerDon Garber said a social media post on Xwas made after his account had been “compromised.”

The post, which read, “Liar liar pants on fire,” was in response to a45-second video clip from British Columbia Premier David Ebysaying that he was “fighting hard to save the [Vancouver] Whitecaps.”

Dan Courtemanche, the league’s executive vice president of communications,posted a message on X: "Commissioner Garber was hacked and did not post this."

Advertisement

The future of the Whitecaps in Vancouver remains in doubt with the club having been up for sale since December of 2024.According to The Athletic, MLS owners reportedly met recently to discuss relocation options, with Las Vegas and Phoenix emerging as favored destinations. The club said in a statement this week that "no viable offer has emerged” over the past 16 months.

“We are aware of today's reporting. The club has faced well-documented structural challenges around stadium economics, venue access and revenue limitations that have made it difficult to attract buyers committed to keeping the team in Vancouver. Over the past 16 months, we have had serious conversations with more than 100 parties, and to date, no viable offer has emerged that would keep the club here.

It remains the strong preference of this ownership group to find a solution in Vancouver. If there is a local ownership group with the vision and resources to chart a path forward, we urge them to come forward.”

BC Place, the Whitecaps' home stadium, is owned by the Province of British Columbia. Their lease ends after this year and while Eby and Garber met this week for "constructive" talks, Garber has called the team's stadium situation "untenable" and a better deal is needed for the club to bring in a better share of revenues.

“It’s reaching a critical point,”Garber said Tuesday. “If we can’t get a better dynamic in that with BC Place, I don’t know how we stay.”

The Whitecaps currently have thesecond-most points in MLSand finished last season as runners-up in both MLS Cup and the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

byAlpha World

in

May 02, 2026

MLS commissioner Don Garber says X account was hacked after calling British Columbia Premier a 'liar'

MLS commissionerDon Garber said a social media post on Xwas made after his account had been “compromised.” The post, which read, ...

Read More